Ex-Irmo Officer Charged With Domestic Violence, Pregnant Victim Hospitalized
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Former police officer Brandon McClaurin is currently facing charges for domestic violence reported on Tuesday morning at his residence in Irmo. The victim, who is pregnant, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from the incident.
Details Of The Incident
The accused, McClaurin formerly served as a police officer in Irmo and was dismissed from his duties after the allegations surfaced. His bail has been set at $50,000. A victim advocate has reported that the victim is dealing with complications from the domestic assault, which resulted in her hospitalization.
Chandra Cleveland, a private investigator, expressed concern over police officers finding themselves entangled in cases of domestic violence due to feelings of superiority and impunity. Cleveland suggests that such situations are an explicit abuse of power.
McClaurin was presented before a Richland County judge on Tuesday after being charged with highly aggravated domestic violence. Following the authorities’ investigation, it was revealed that the victim called 911, alleging that her boyfriend assaulted her. The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday in the New Friars Gate subdivision of Irmo, as specified in the incident report from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
The victim attempted to contact 911 and escape from the house, but McClaurin impeded her efforts. Eventually, her call for help reached 911 and she was subsequently transported to the hospital.
The Court Hearing
During the appearance in court, McClaurin made a statement claiming that the victim had pre-existing pregnancy complications and had a doctor’s appointment scheduled. He denied having any role in those complications. The presiding judge stated that it was not her place to decide on the matter.
In the event of McClaurin posting bail, he will be required to maintain a distance of at least a thousand feet from the victim and is prohibited from establishing any form of contact with her.
Irmo Police Statement
In their official statement to the media, the Irmo police force declared their disapproval of McClaurin’s actions, stating that he was dismissed immediately after learning about the incident. The statement further affirmed their dedication to maintaining exemplary standards of professionalism and accountability. McClaurin has been with the department since 2019.
